The Summer Science Exhibition is a free, annual display of some of the cutting-edge science and technology in the UK. Meet the scientists, discover the exciting research and technology they work on and have fun with exciting interactive activities.

The exhibition is suitable for all ages except for the Lates on Tuesday 4 July (18+ only).
Public entry is free and no booking is required to access any of the flagship exhibits, talks, screenings or activities.

How to get to the exhibition

We are centrally located, easily accessible by public transport and just a short walk from several London attractions such as Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square. 

Our address is:

The Royal Society
6-9 Carlton House Terrace
London
SW1Y 5AG

Please note there is no step-free access to the building from The Mall. If you require step-free access, we recommend that you approach the building from the north side, via Pall Mall or Piccadilly.

Public transport links:

• Underground stations: Charing Cross (10 minute walk), Piccadilly Circus (7 minute walk), Green Park (10 minute walk; step-free) and St James's Park (15 minute walk)
• Bus routes: 12, 13, 15 and 453
• Coach station: Connections from Victoria coach station
• National Rail stations: Charing Cross (10 minute walk). Victoria and Waterloo are also a half hour walk or short bus ride away.

Please check TfL before you travel for the latest travel news. 

If you plan to arrive by car, there is street parking available around the Royal Society building, but we do not have parking spaces for the public. There are a limited number of parking spaces close to the front door which may be booked in advance by visitors with a Blue Badge disabled parking permit. To book a space, please email us in advance.

You can find information on where and how to park in the area by visiting the City of Westminster’s website.

Important information for Sunday 9 July 2023

A large-scale running event, the ASICS London 10K, will be taking place on Sunday 9 July and will disrupt general travel around the Piccadilly area, with road closures likely to impact routes to the building on Sunday.

Due to this, please keep in mind that car access to disabled parking spots near to our building cannot be guaranteed on Sunday.

The 2023 race route will remain very similar to the route used in 2022 (shown below), starting on Piccadilly and finishing on Whitehall. Full information regarding all road closures, parking suspensions and diversion routes will be available in the coming months.

For more information about the race and road closures, visit the ASICS London 10K website.

Opening hours 

Last entry time is 30 minutes before closing and the café finishes serving 30 minutes before close.

The exhibition can be a busy event but we strive to make it as accessible to everyone as possible. The exhibition is usually least busy between 10-11am on weekdays. We also have a quiet space open throughout the event. More information about venue accessibility can be found below.

When you arrive

Accessibility

We strive to make the exhibition as accessible to everyone as possible. Below are some details to help you plan your visit, but if you have any questions please contact us directly at exhibition@royalsociety.org. 

• You can access the entrance to the exhibition via five steps with a hand rail, or by using a lift which is operable by reception staff. If you need to use the lift please use the buzzer to the right of the entrance steps or inform a member of staff when you arrive
• Once inside the exhibition, all the exhibits and the café can be reached without using steps. The café is located in the basement, which is accessible by lift.  There is an accessible toilet on the basement floor
• There may be queues to enter the building at busy periods. If you are unable to queue please inform a member of staff when you arrive and we will make alternative arrangements
• If you need a space reserved at an activity for accessibility reasons, please email us in advance
• Portable seats are available on request. We have also assigned spaces for wheelchairs throughout the building
• A Blue Badge disabled parking space is available and will need to be booked in advance by email. Please inform a member of staff at any point during your visit if you need any help
• There will be water stations available throughout the building to refill bottles
• There is a quiet room, which offers a variety of comfortable seating and is intended to be as noise-free as possible
• Some of the exhibits may contain flashing lights or high-pitch sounds, if you require information on these exhibits, please contact a member of the staff for advice or email us in advance

Health and safety

• Our First Aid room can be accessed in/through the Marble Hall. First Aid attending medics will also be present throughout the Exhibition week
• You are welcome to use a face covering during your visit

Families

We encourage families to come and explore the exhibition and the special programme of workshops, talks and interactive activities suitable for all ages. There will be a kids' zone with science experiments for under 10s, and a menu of child-friendly food and drink will be available for purchase in the café.

Baby changing facilities are located in both the male and female toilets. Buggy parking space is also available on the ground floor. 

Food and drink

Take a break at our café, situated in the basement floor. The café offers salads and sandwiches throughout the week, with an additional hot menu at the weekend, and a range of hot and cold beverages.

The café is open from Tuesday 4 July to Sunday 9 July inclusive, and closes 30 minutes before closing time each day.

Food and hot drinks will not be allowed in the exhibit rooms.

Diversity monitoring

The Royal Society aims to have an inclusive environment for everyone engaged in the organisation’s work.

During the exhibition you may be asked to complete a survey and your answers will be treated in the strictest confidence. All data disclosed will comply with the General Data Protection Regulation. Find out more about the equality, diversity and inclusion work of the Royal Society.

Recording and photography

You are welcome to take photos and video during the exhibition within reason, but please be aware that people wearing an orange 'no photography' sticker should not be filmed or photographed. Any images that contain an individual wearing an orange sticker should be deleted. 

Children should not be filmed or photographed without first obtaining their guardian's consent.

The Royal Society will also be taking photographs and filming during the event. These may be used to promote the Society's activities and could include print or digital media. If you don't wish to be photographed or filmed, please go to the information desk on arrival or speak to a member of staff to collect a 'no photography' sticker.

For all enquiries, contact exhibition@royalsociety.org or call +44 20 7451 2500.